Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 35: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

mUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION optimist or he knew more than he told us.” “Neither. He worked on the assumption that the first colonists would have done all they could to carry out their orders. He hoped to find intact machinery, bulging granaries, planted crops. In short, he expected to find that all the work necessary in taking over a new planet had already been done. It was areasonable assumption.”’ “You think so?’ Gerald shrugged. “I disagree. We still weren’t sure that plague hadn’t killed them off, or that the native food con- tained some subtle poison which could kill after several months. If it wasn’t for the absence of bodies we still couldn’t be sure, but now we can rule that out; at least I hope that we can. If not, then I’m going to be a very sick ecologist.’’ He didn’t seem at all worried. “Then why did you come if you thought all that ?”’ “Why? Gerald looked thoughtful. “I’m not really 34 sure. Adventure perhaps ? The desire to pit my wits and skill against an alien environment? Maybe just because I was bored with interstellar flight and wanted to stretch my legs ? I don’t know. Do you?” “You came because Hyperon was a challenge and you are a man. Men have always met their challenges; that’s why we rule our own planet and are heading to- wards the stars. I don’t think that you need probe your emotions to discover why any of us did what we did. You’re as much a creature of your environment as Wiliams is of his.”? Hermitage smiled as he rose to his feet. ““Think about it for a while; it may help you to understand him a little better.” “Where are you going?” Gerald finished the last of the fruit and wiped his mouth with a handful of grass. “Down to join the others. You’ve eaten, but my stomach warns me that it’s time for me to eat, too. Coming?” “May as well.’ Gerald comiclbooks.cormn